There’s nothing like the feeling of being in control. Whether you’re behind the wheel of your own car, riding shotgun with a loved one or taking public transportation, there are certain things that make us feel safe: solid brakes, responsive steering and the knowledge that our seatbelts will hold us securely in place if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, accidents happen—and sometimes they cause serious injuries to innocent bystanders. Even worse, these accidents can be caused by negligent drivers who fail to take proper care while behind the wheel. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence (or even self-neglect), then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to your injury or death.”
What is a car insurance claim?
A car insurance claim is a formal request for compensation by the insured party in response to an accident or injury. It may be initiated by either the driver, passenger or pedestrian involved in an accident, but it’s usually advisable to consult with an attorney before filing one.
Once you’ve submitted your claim and received notice from your provider that they will pay out on it (which should happen within 30 days), there are a few things that could happen:
- You might receive money for medical bills directly from them–and nothing else. This is called indemnity coverage; it only covers losses related directly to injuries sustained during an accident.
- You might receive payments for both medical bills and lost wages as part of total-loss settlement package, which also includes collision coverage (vehicle damage) and sometimes uninsured motorist protection (UM). UM pays victims when another driver doesn’t have insurance coverage required by law at fault for causing injury-related damages up until $50K per person/$100K per occurrence.*
How to file a car accident claim
- Get a copy of your own insurance policy.
- Take pictures of the scene and your injuries, as well as any damage to your car or other vehicles involved in the accident.
- If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, file a claim with your own insurance company immediately after filing an accident report with police (if applicable).
What happens after you file a claim?
Once you file a claim, it’s assigned to a claims adjuster. This person will investigate the accident and determine what happened. The adjuster will also contact the other driver’s insurance company to get their side of the story, which they will pass along to you when they finish their investigation.
Once all parties involved have given their statements and all reports are complete, your claim may be settled without ever having to go through court proceedings or legal action at all!
Types of compensation available through a car accident claim.
There are many different types of compensation available through a car accident claim. These include:
- Medical expenses: This includes both past and future medical treatments, such as physical therapy, surgery, prescription medication and more. You may be eligible for compensation if you have suffered an injury in the crash that requires ongoing care or treatment.
- Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from working while they heal (typically six months), then this is something that can be included in your claim–and it’s usually calculated based on what kind of job you had before the accident happened.
- Pain and suffering: A lot of people don’t realize this until after their case has been settled but pain and suffering damages are paid out separately from other types of damages like lost wages or medical bills because they’re not considered tangible losses like those mentioned above! If someone else caused your accident though then it’s only fair that they pay up accordingly so don’t let them get away without paying up properly!
Contacting an attorney can help you determine how to proceed in the aftermath of an automobile accident.
Contacting an attorney can help you determine how to proceed in the aftermath of an automobile accident. An attorney will be able to explain your rights and responsibilities, as well as those of the other party involved in the crash. If you are seeking compensation for your injuries, a lawyer will be able to advise you on how much money to ask for.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand the basics of filing an auto accident claim. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact an attorney who can guide you through the process.